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The Dental Assisting Program uses the following grading scale for all programmatic courses:

• Applicants will be ranked from highest to lowest total score until a predetermined number of students is selected.
• Students must meet all minimum application requirements for their application to be considered and progress to ranking. The application checklist for the Traditional and Mobility programs is located on the Info tab for each program.
• Must be in good standing with the College.
• Must meet the Essential Functions (see below) required for dental students.

The college-wide grading policy which is in place for all general education courses is located in the .

Students enrolled in the Dental Assisting Program are required to successfully complete both academic and clinical requirements. The Eligibility Criteria outline the cognitive, affective, and psychomotor skills considered minimally necessary for admission, progression, and graduation from the program, as well as for providing safe and effective patient care as a dental assistant.

The Alabama Community College System supports and complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Prior to enrollment, all students are provided with the program’s Eligibility Criteria. If a student is unable to demonstrate the required skills and abilities, it is the student’s responsibility to request reasonable accommodation through the Student Disability Services Office.

Essential Functions are the fundamental duties and skills associated with the role of a dental assistant. These functions reflect the minimum standards necessary to perform safely and competently in both the educational and clinical settings.

Dental assisting students are expected to have the ability to:

1. Be independently mobile, with or without assistive devices, and be able to stand, bend, twist, stoop, squat and sit.
2. Work in a confined space and remain in one location for an extended period.
3. Lift, push and/or pull 20 pounds.
4. Reach and position overhead equipment.
5. Sustain repetitive movements.
6. Demonstrate the physical stamina to work a minimum of an 8-hour day.
7. Grasp small objects.
8. Coordinate eye and hand movements to satisfactorily manipulate instruments, supplies, and equipment with speed, dexterity and proficiency. Perform instrument transfer using only fingers, wrist, and elbow.
9. See with 20/40 visual acuity and possess sufficient peripheral vision to anticipate the needs of the dentist and patient while working chair side.
10. Distinguish colors and discern variation in shades and tone.
11. Hear high and low frequency sounds within a normal range or otherwise distinguish conditions by equivalent visual signals.
12. Understand muffled communication without visualization of the speaker’s mouth and lips.
13. Smell body and environmental odors.
14. Communicate effectively, including written documentation.
15. Correctly perform simple mathematical computations.
16. Be free of reportable communicable diseases and substance abuse.
17. Work in a clinical environment which involves exposure to people with physical and mental disabilities, pain, stress, and communicable disease, blood and body fluids, hazardous substances / materials, odors, and irritating particles.
18. Carry out detailed, simple to complex, written or oral instructions.
19. Show problem-solving aptitude sufficient to organize and complete tasks safely, accurately and within an assigned time frame.
20. Assimilate and apply knowledge acquired from multiple learning experiences and make decisions which display good judgment.
21. Seek supervision and consultation in a timely manner.
22. Work with a diverse population including people of various ages, ethnic, racial, religious, alternative lifestyle, and socioeconomic background without prejudice.
23. Readily adapt to a changing environment by demonstrating poise, flexibility, positive coping skills, and effective responses, including emergency situations.

Safety is paramount in all health programs. Students should not pose a direct threat to themselves or others. Direct threat is defined as a substantial risk of harm based on facts that cannot be eliminated or reduced to an acceptable level through reasonable accommodation. A direct threat also includes an individual who knowingly engages in unsafe practices or disregards safety rules or procedures which result in a substantial risk of harm to themselves or others or in a substantial risk of damage to property.

Ranking Worksheet

• Chairside Assistance - Assist the dentist during procedures by passing instruments, suctioning, and ensuring patient comfort
• Sterilization and Infection Control – Properly clean, disinfect, and sterilize instruments following infection control protocols.
• Taking and Processing Radiographs – Capture intraoral and extraoral X-rays while ensuring patient safety and compliance with radiation guidelines.
• Restorative and Preventive Procedures – Prepare and set up materials for procedures such as fillings, sealants, fluoride applications, and coronal polishing.
• Record Keeping and Charting – Update patient records, treatment plans, and clinical notes using dental software like Dentrix, Eaglesoft, or Ascend.

• Appointment Scheduling – Manage patient appointments, confirm upcoming visits, and handle cancellations or rescheduling using dental software.
• Patient Records Management – Maintain and update patient charts, medical histories, and treatment plans while ensuring compliance with HIPAA regulations.
• Insurance Processing and Billing – Verify insurance coverage, submit claims, process payments, and follow up on outstanding balances.
• Patient Communication and Reception Duties – Greet patients, answer phone calls, respond to inquiries, and provide necessary paperwork or pre-appointment instructions.
• Inventory Management and Supply Ordering – Track dental supplies, place orders, and ensure the office is stocked with necessary materials and equipment.
• Financial Transactions and Payment Processing – Handle patient payments, set up payment plans, and provide cost estimates for treatments.

*All fees are approximations and subject to change.*